End of Part Two.

Today marks 1172 days since cancer came into our family. 1168 days since my husband and I walked through the doors of this hospital, hand in hand, for the very first time.

Those doors were the last thing my husband saw of the outside world, before being wheeled into an ambulance and brought home to die. He said, at that point, that a bag for life would probably be an unwise investment.

Today, 463 days since my husband died, and 343 days since my own diagnosis, I walk out of the same doors once again, on my own, to the outside world, for what we all hope will be the very last time. To freedom. To our children. To countless more days.

Here, they’ve given me the most precious gift – my life, wrapped up in a metaphorical box with a bow, when my husband couldn’t even begin to pick off the sellotape. Here, my treatment has finished, and I am cancer free. The words don’t even seem real, after so many days of nothing but cancer. It’s going to take a while to adjust.

To say thank you, I brought a big box of chocolates for my radiographers, and asked them to share it around my husband’s oncology team as well, in the room next door.

Next week, it’s our fifteenth wedding anniversary. My husband’s life in a box – the ashes which are all that remain of his hands, his smile, and his wonderful mind – will be interred in the church yard where we stood and kissed for our wedding photographs, and where his dearest friends carried his coffin as we said our goodbyes. In sickness and in health, I was with him, and he with me. Maybe it’s time now to let him rest.

Until my husband and I meet again, I’m going to do one thing – for him, for our children, and for me.

I’m going to invest in a bag for life.

Love Fanny x

20 thoughts on “End of Part Two.”

  3. Avril Thresh says:
    Reply

    As with every post I am crying after reading, but this time there are some tears of joy mixed in. So, so happy for you. All the very best to you and your boys xxx

  7. calmkate says:
    Reply

    great milestone for you and the boys, well done .. cancer treatment is such a drag, tiredness and depression might follow especially with such a recent loss .. be kind to yourself and the boys and maybe make a bucket list to anticipate and tick off 🙂

    Good luck and make memories with those that matter 🙂

  10. naturebackin says:
    Reply

    The relief must be overwhelming. I am sure your sons are overwhelmed too. It might even feel strange adapting to not having treatment? I am so happy for you and your family. Wishing you all the best for your continuing recovery and I hope that you and the boys have a great holiday together.

  11. Kiki says:
    Reply

    Ellie, you make me cry with every post…. but this time it’s out of thankfulness and a quiet happiness for your good news. Also, I think it might be the right moment now to put your husbands ashes to ‘rest’…. in any case, he’s not living in that jar but goes on living in your memories, your heart and in your children.
    HOW relieved you all must be and how wonderful is it that you can start anew, once more

    May the ‘bugs’ never come back and may you finally, finally have a chance to live your lives without the shadow of illness, death, but surrounded by healthy turbulent kids, screaming not with rage and anguish but with pure unadultered joy…. always wishing you the BEST! Take a big hug and my heartfelt wishes

Leave a comment